Not for the first time, display panel shortages are being blamed for a supposed pushing back of the iPad mini 2′s release. The latest report comes via Economic Daily News and claims that the 7.9″ Retina display panels are in short supply and that it could result in the second generation iPad mini’s launch being delayed.

Badly translated (by Google) excerpt below:

The market believes that if the iPad mini postponed to the first quarter of next year, though not keep up with the traditional Christmas season, but the relevant supply chain in the first quarter shipments will zoom in, just to encounter the Lunar New Year period, the mainland factories recruitment difficulties will affect future Apple orders performance.

While it’s no surprise to hear these kind of reports, it’s no guarantee that the sources leaking the information know what’s going on. If anything, it simply adds to the bigger picture that nobody really knows what’s going on (except Apple). Just the other day speculation was published stating that Cupertino is yet to decide whether to stick with the current display resolution, or double up and go Retina for the iPad mini. This back-and-forth between Retina and non-Retina has got everyone confused, to the point which NPD DisplaySearch once claimed that Apple would offer both resolutions.

This latest report may not give us a clear picture of the next iPad mini, but it does give us a clear picture of the sources and reporters’ opinions and knowledge. Essentially, no one really knows anything. The fact that different sources and analysts are changing their minds all the time is a clear indication that they haven’t got Apple’s plans pinned down, and our favorite fruit company is making it hard for anyone to find out what’s going on.

Based on the success of last year’s November release, I’d be very surprised to see an iPad mini 2 arrive at the beginning of next year, so soon after the holiday season. I’m still betting on an October/November refresh of both sizes of iPads, but could yet be proven wrong.

About Cam Bunton

Cam Bunton, Managing Editor. A film school graduate from the University of Cumbria, UK, Cam's past life was in mobile phone retail. His passion for cell phones got him in to that industry, and then in to this one. A family man with two kids, he somehow manages to balance his TiP duties with family life and a runaway Twitter addiction. He covers news, device comparisons, accessory and app reviews - pretty much anything and everything. Follow him on twitter: @TiP_Cam

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